Distance measurement device

ABSTRACT

The invention starts with a range finder with a measuring device and at least one measuring limit stop body ( 12 ), which can be moved out of a housing ( 10 ) and features at least one measuring limit stop ( 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 ) in a reference plane ( 14 ) for range finding between the reference plane ( 14 ) and an object that is to be measured. It is proposed that a first side ( 16 ) of the measuring limit stop body ( 12 ) form a first and a second measuring limit stop ( 22, 24 ).

PRIOR ART

The invention starts with a range finder in accordance with thepre-characterizing clause of Claim 1.

A range finder for contactless range finding, which can be performedwith three range finding measuring types, is known from the UnexaminedGerman Application DE 101 42 166A1. By applying a line-shaped firstmeasuring limit stop to a corner line facing the to-be-measured objectand by applying a flat second measuring limit stop to a surface facingthe object, distances between the object and the corner line and thesurface can be determined. Through a third measuring limit stop, thedistance between the object and a surface facing away from the objectcan be determined. To apply the third measuring limit stop to thesurface facing away from the object, a swivel flap is swiveled out on aswivel part, forming the second measuring limit stop, whereby in a fixedswivel position of the swivel part and the swivel flap, the thirdmeasuring limit stop points in the measuring direction and lies in thereference plane for the distance measurement in which all threemeasuring limit stops lie after their respective activation. Eachmeasuring limit stop is arranged on another measuring limit stop body.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention starts with a range finder with a measuring device and atleast one measuring limit stop body, which can be moved out of housingand features at least one measuring limit stop in a reference plane formeasuring a distance between the reference plane and an object that isto be measured.

It is proposed that a first side of the measuring limit stop body form afirst and a second measuring limit stop. The first side preferablyoccupies different positions with respect to the housing. By pulling themeasuring limit stop body out of the housing of the range finder,preferably in a direction parallel to a measuring direction, a measuringreference can be switched over on the different measuring limit stops.To do this, on the one hand, an arithmetic-logic unit and/or evaluationunit are expediently provided, which, if necessary, correct a signal ofthe measuring device taking a defined position of the measuring limitstop body into consideration and, on the other hand, detection means torecognize a defined position of the measuring limit stop body. Sensorscan be provided, which automatically detect the position and ifnecessary the swivel angle setting of the measuring limit stop bodyvis-à-vis the housing, in particular the measuring device, or this typeof data can be input manually via an input device, such as a keyboard,that is allocated to the range finder. The distances of corners,grooves, edges, for example in the case of windows, and surfaces facingor facing away from the to-be-measured object can be determined with asingle measuring limit stop body. Additional end pieces or adapters fordifferent measuring tasks can be eliminated. The rear side of the deviceis favorably aligned parallel to the reference plane. An opticalmeasuring device, in particular a laser measuring device, is preferredas the measuring device, in which a transmission signal is sent to theto-be-measured object and a run-time measurement is made with respect tothe distance between the object and reference plane. An ultrasound oreven a high-frequency measuring device can be used as an alternative.

A first side of the measuring limit stop body preferably forms the firstmeasuring limit stop when the measuring limit stop body is located in aposition retracted into the housing. However, the first side can alsolie in the retracted position within a housing border without forming ameasuring limit stop. The first side is preferably a narrow side of themeasuring limit stop body. This is located completely in the housing,while the narrow side is aligned with a device rear side of the housing.The entire surface of the device rear side as a stable bearing surfacecan be applied to a side facing the object. The reference plane, whichis normally aligned perpendicular to the measuring direction, coincideswith the surface of the device rear side. The first side in thisposition preferably forms the measuring limit stop for a surface facingthe object that is to be measured.

If the first side of the measuring limit stop body forms the secondmeasuring limit stop when the measuring limit stop body is located in aposition that is telescoped out of the housing, another measuringconfiguration can be represented with the same side of the measuringlimit stop body by simply pulling out the measuring limit stop body,which side can be applied to the corners and grooves facing the objectthat is to be measured. Locking means can be expediently provided sothat it is possible to lock the measuring limit stop body into place inthe telescoped position at a defined location. The reference plane ishenceforth removed from the device rear side. Measuring signals can becorrected with great precision with respect to the modified referenceplane. This is preferably accomplished by means of an arithmetic-logicunit, which cooperates with the measuring device. To do this, a currentposition signal of the measuring limit stop body is transmitted to thearithmetic-logic unit.

A first flat side of the measuring limit stop body can form a thirdmeasuring limit stop when the measuring limit stop body is located in aposition that is swung out vis-à-vis the housing. To do this, themeasuring limit stop body in a telescoped state can swivel around aswivel axis, particularly around a constant swivel point, and be placedin front of the device rear side. The first flat slide can be applied toa surface facing away from the object that is to be measured. Acorrection with respect to the thickness of the measuring limit stopbody can be correspondingly performed if the reference plane is locatedon the opposing flat side.

If a second flat side of the measuring limit stop body forms a fourthmeasuring limit stop when the measuring limit stop body is located in aposition that is swung out vis-à-vis the housing, a side facing theobject that is to be measured can be contacted in the same position ofthe measuring limit stop body. As a result, an especially large, stablesupporting surface is available, whose surface is greater than thedevice rear side.

The second flat side forms a fifth measuring limit stop when themeasuring limit stop body is located in a swiveled-out position. Thenthe distance of a point of a diagonal surface and the surface facing theobject that is to be measured can be determined. A swivel axis isprovided in a center area of the measuring limit stop body as related toits longitudinal extension in the measuring direction, which fixes adefined swivel point and also permits the opposing flat side to beapplied to a diagonal surface facing away from the object that is to bemeasured. A measurement according to the so-called Pythagoras principlealso permits an indirect determination of a distance between two points,in that a substitute measured distance is determined starting from onemeasuring point to each of the two points and with at least one angle ofthe triangle formed by the three distances being known. If a substitutesegment is perpendicular to the distance sought, the Pythagorean theoremcan be used to determine the distances. If the angle between the twosubstitute measured distances is known, this can occur by means of theknown cosine law. This can be accomplished via a tripod measurement byputting the range finder on a tripod so that it can swivel around atripod axis, or by swiveling the measuring limit stop body by a definedswivel angle. Advantageously, a distance can be determined indirectlywith or without a tripod. With one or more detected swivel angles anddistances, various arithmetic operations can be executed as needed in acoordinating arithmetic-logic unit. Specific angles and/or inclinationsof walls, floors, ceilings, etc, distances, surfaces and/or variousvolumes can be determined, for example, by multiplication, subtraction,integration, and application of the cosine law. To do so, the measuringlimit stop body can be swiveled around the swivel axis by various swivelangles.

If the measuring limit stop body features at least one swivel axisperpendicular to an extension direction of the measuring limit stop bodyfor swiveling and/or locking the measuring limit stop body, themeasuring limit stop body can be held in defined diagonal positions.Means to acquire and/or input the swivel angle are preferably provided.High measuring precision is rendered possible. If two swivel axes areprovided, the measuring limit stop body can be telescoped out in variouslengths and secured by locking means that cooperate with the swivelaxis, thereby making surfaces that are difficult to access, e.g., deepgrooves, reachable.

If the measuring limit stop body extends in one dimension from one sidesurface of the housing to another side surface, a maximum supportingsurface is produced even with small range finders. This permits acompact design of small, handy range finders.

If the measuring limit stop body is embodied as a flat plate, anespecially stable bearing surface is offered and can function in aretracted state as a part of the housing. The plate is preferably madeof metal. However, the person skilled in the art will select anothermaterial if this appears to be meaningful.

If the measuring limit stop body is embodied as a bow, weight can besaved and at the same time a favorable and especially space-savingarrangement of the bow can be achieved around the measuring device,which can also include an arithmetic-logic unit and/or evaluation unit,that is located in the inside of the range finder.

An edge-side recess is preferably provided in the range finder in thefirst device flat side, through which the legs of the measuring limitstop body can be released for swiveling. The bow can be favorablyswiveled approximately around a center swivel axis. The range finder canbe shorter in terms of its structural length.

If means are provided to detect a position and/or a swivel angle of themeasuring limit stop body, the operation of the range finder isfacilitated. As an alternative, the position and/or swivel angle canalso be input manually into the range finder.

Several axes for swiveling and guides for guiding the measuring limitstop body can also be expediently provided in order to influence themovement possibilities and locking of the measuring limit stop body.Locking devices and/or guides permit the measuring limit stop body to befixed in a defined position. As an option, a spring initial stress canprovide for comfortably snapping the measuring limit stop body into thepositions. The range finder in accordance with the invention can be usedparticularly favorably as a hand-held device.

DRAWING

Additional advantages are yielded from the following description of thedrawing. Three exemplary embodiments of the invention are depicted inthe drawings. The drawing, the description and the claims containnumerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art willalso observe individual features expediently and combine them intoadditional, meaningful combinations.

The drawing show:

FIG. 1 A schematic side view of a preferred range finder with a firstpreferred measuring limit stop body, (a) in a retracted position, (b) ina telescoped position, (c) in a swiveled-out position, (d) in aswung-out position.

FIG. 2 An oblique top view of a preferred range finder with a secondpreferred measuring limit stop body in bow form, (a) in the retractedposition and telescoped position (dashed line), (b) the bow-shapedmeasuring limit stop body in detail, (c) the measuring limit stop bodyin the swung-out position.

FIG. 3 A schematic side view of a preferred range finder with ameasuring limit stop body with two swivel axes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Wherever possible the same or corresponding parts with the samereference numbers are used in the figures.

A preferred range finder in FIG. 1 a-d shows a measuring limit stop body12 connected to a housing 10 in different, defined positions. Details ofthe range finder, such as a measuring device with any arithmetic-logicand/or evaluation units for evaluation and possible output of ameasuring signal, are not depicted. The housing 10 features a front side38, which is facing the object that is to be measured (not shown), andfrom which a transmission signal in a measuring device 50 istransmitted, as well as device rear side 36, which is facing a referenceplane 14, with which the measuring limit stop body 12 is brought intocontact. The device rear side 36 is expediently aligned with thereference plane 14. In addition, an upper flat side 40 and a lower flatside 42 are provided. A first flat side 18 of the measuring limit stopbody 12 is facing the housing 10 on a large surface. In the lower flatside 42 of the housing 10 a second flat side 20 of the measuring limitstop body 12 forms a part of said lower flat side and is alignedtherewith. However, the second flat side 20 could also be arranged at adistance to the flat side 42. The measuring limit stop body 12 in aposition retracted into the housing 10 preferably forms a portion of thehousing 10. A first side 16 perpendicular to the flat sides 18, 20, anarrow side of the measuring limit stop body 12, aligns with the devicerear side 36 of the housing 10 (FIG. 1 a) and as a first measuring limitstop 22 is adjacent on a large surface together with the device rearside 36 to a surface 44 facing the object that is to be measured, whichcoincides with a reference plane 14.

The measuring limit stop body 12 can be moved out of the housing 10(FIG. 1 b) and features a second measuring limit stop 24 in thereference plane 14 for range finding.

The measuring limit stop body 12 can preferably be pulled out of thedevice rear side 36 parallel to the measuring device 50. The first side16 is adjacent to a corner 46 facing the object. In the telescopedposition shown, locking means 52 are provided to lock the measuringlimit stop body 12 into place in a defined position. The reference plane14, is removed from the device rear side 36, preferably parallel to thedevice rear side 36.

The measuring limit stop body 12 features a third measuring limit stop26 for a surface 48 facing away from the object when the measuring limitstop body 12 is telescoped so far out of the housing 10 that it can beswiveled around a swivel axis 32 by 90° and placed in front of thedevice rear side 36 (FIG. 1 d). The measuring limit stop body 12 islonger than the housing 10 is high so that a portion of the measuringlimit stop body 12 projects on both sides. The first flat side 18 of themeasuring limit stop body 12 can therefore be applied to a surface 48facing away from the object to be measured. The reference plane 14coincides with the second flat side 20, and a measuring signal can becorrected by a thickness of the measuring limit stop body 12. Inaddition to a software-related correction, a mechanical correction wouldalso be conceivable. In the same way, the second flat side 20 can be putadjacent to a surface 44 facing the object.

In FIG. 1 c the second flat side 20 forms a fifth measuring limit stop30, whereby the measuring limit stop body 12 projects from the devicerear side 36 in a swiveled-out position at a swivel angle between 0° and90°, whereby the measuring limit stop body 12 is swiveled around theswivel axis 32 and adjacent to a diagonal surface 44. The referenceplane 14 coincides with the device rear side 36. The measuring limitstop body 12 is embodied favorably as a flat plate, which is preferablyas wide as the lower flat side 42. The plate can be guided through guidegrooves (not shown) in the range finder, preferably those in which theswivel axis 32 that is fixed to the first flat side 18 are guided.Sensors (not shown) are preferably provided, which detect the set swivelangle and transmit to an arithmetic-logic unit (not shown).Alternatively, in the case of a known swivel angle, the correspondingvalue can be input via keyboard.

FIG. 2 a-c shows a preferred embodiment of the measuring limit stop body12, which is embodied as a flat bow with two legs 68, 70 and a crossstrut 72 connecting these legs, whereby the cross strut 72 is arrangedon the device rear side 36 and in a retracted position the legs 68, 70point towards the object that is to be measured. The bow can be pulledout of the device rear side 36 in an extension direction 62. Themeasuring limit stop body 12 is arranged approximately in the centerbetween the device flat sides 40, 42. A guide groove 54 is provided as aguide. The guide groove 54 features a rear limit stop 78 and a frontlimit stop 80 for the preferably welded-on swivel axis 32, on which themeasuring limit stop body 12 impacts with the swivel axis 32 in theretracted or telescoped position. Display and input units 76 (not shownin greater detail) can be provided on the first device flat side 40. Adeep, edge-side recess 56 is provided in the housing 10 in the upperdevice flat side 40 through which the legs 68, 70 of the measuring limitstop body 12 can be released for swiveling around the swivel axis 32, ifthe measuring limit stop body is located in the telescoped position. Thecross strut 72 occupies the entire width of the housing 10, in that themeasuring limit stop body 12 extends in one dimension from one sidesurface 64 of the range finder 12 to another side surface 66. The devicerear side 36 preferably has lateral recesses on the narrow sides so thatthe measuring limit stop body 12 fits around the device rear side 36with the legs 68, 70 and the cross strut 72. The device rear side 36together with the bow can form the supporting surface.

The flat sides 18, 20 and the first side 16 can be brought into contactwith corresponding surfaces and structures, as described in FIG. 1. APythagorean measurement can be performed in the measuring limit stopbody's 12 telescoped position. Alternatively, the measuring limit stopbody 12 can be inserted into a device flat side 40, 42 similar to inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a-f shows a variation in which the measuring limit stop body 12features two parallel swivel axes 32, 34 at a distance from one anotherperpendicular to the extension direction 62 of the measuring limit stopbody 12 for swiveling and/or locking the measuring limit stop body 12.Locking means 58, 60 can be provided on the device side on the devicerear side 36, and these locking means cooperate with the swivel axes 32,34 of the measuring limit stop body 12 in such a way that they lock intoplace with these in the swung-out state (FIG. 3 f) and are fixed on thedevice rear side 36. FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show the measuring limit stopbody 12 in a retracted position. In FIG. 3 c the measuring limit stopbody 12 is, telescoped up to the front swivel axis 34 in the extensiondirection 62 and in FIG. 3 d telescoped up to the rear swivel axis 32.In this position the measuring limit stop body 12 is still preventedfrom swiveling, and namely because it is still partially projecting intothe housing 10 and prevented by it from swiveling. In this position themeasuring limit stop body 12 can be swiveled in front of the device rearside 36 of the housing 10 in such a way that both swivel axes 32, 34 canbe held with both locking means 58, 60 (FIG. 3 f). The measuring limitstop body 12 can be swiveled in both positions around the respectiveswivel axis 32, 34, for instance for Pythagorean measurements or todetect angles. FIG. 3 e shows a position of the measuring limit stopbody 12, in which this is swiveled around the front swivel axis 34 by anangle in order to make contact with a diagonal surface 74. In this caseas well, automatic or manual means can be provided to detect theposition and/or the swivel angle of the measuring limit stop body 12.

1. Range finder with a measuring device and at least one measuring limitstop body (12), which can be moved out of a housing (10) and features atleast one measuring limit stop (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) in a reference plane(14) for range finding between the reference plane (14) and an objectthat is to be measured, characterized in that, a first side (16) of themeasuring limit stop body (12) forms a first and a second measuringlimit stop (22, 24).
 2. Range finder according to claim 1, characterizedin that, the first side (16) of the measuring limit stop body (12) formsthe first measuring limit stop (22) when the measuring limit stop body(12) is located in a position retracted into the housing (10).
 3. Rangefinder according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first side (16)of the measuring limit stop body (12) forms the second measuring limitstop (24) when the measuring limit stop body (12) is located in aposition that is telescoped out of the housing (10).
 4. Range finderaccording to claim 1, characterized in that, a first flat side (18) ofthe measuring limit stop body (12) forms a third measuring limit stop(26) when the measuring limit stop body (12) is located in a positionthat is swung out vis-à-vis the housing (10).
 5. Range finder accordingto claim 1, characterized in that, a second flat side (20) of themeasuring limit stop body (12) forms a fourth measuring limit stop (28)when the measuring limit stop body (12) is located in a position that isswung out vis-à-vis the housing (10).
 6. Range finder according to claim5, characterized in that, the second flat side (20) forms a fifthmeasuring limit stop (30) when the measuring limit stop body (12) islocated in a swiveled-out position.
 7. Range finder according to claim1, characterized in that, the measuring limit stop body (12) features atleast one swivel axis (32, 24) perpendicular to an extension direction(62) of the measuring limit stop body (12) for swiveling and/or lockingthe measuring limit stop body (12).
 8. Range finder according to claim1, characterized in that, the measuring limit stop body (12) extends inone dimension from one side surface (64) of the housing (10) to anotherside surface (66).
 9. Range finder according to claim 1, characterizedin that, the measuring limit stop body (12) is embodied as a flat plate.10. Range finder according to claim 1, characterized in that, themeasuring limit stop body (12) is embodied as a bow.
 11. Range finderaccording to claim 10, characterized in that, an edge-side recess (56)is provided in the first device flat side (40) of the housing (10)through which the legs (68, 70) of the measuring limit stop body (12)can be released for swiveling.
 12. Range finder according to claim 1,characterized in that, means are provided to detect a position and/or aswivel angle of the measuring limit stop body (12).
 13. Range finderaccording to claim 2, characterized in that, the first side (16) of themeasuring limit stop body (12) forms the second measuring limit stop(24) when the measuring limit stop body (12) is located in a positionthat is telescoped out of the housing (10).
 14. Range finder accordingto claim 13, characterized in that, a first flat side (18) of themeasuring limit stop body (12) forms a third measuring limit stop (26)when the measuring limit stop body (12) is located in a position that isswung out vis-à-vis the housing (10).
 15. Range finder according toclaim 14, characterized in that, a second flat side (20) of themeasuring limit stop body (12) forms a fourth measuring limit stop (28)when the measuring limit stop body (12) is located in a position that isswung out vis-à-vis the housing (10).
 16. Range finder according toclaim 15, characterized in that, the second flat side (20) forms a fifthmeasuring limit stop (30) when the measuring limit stop body (12) islocated in a swiveled-out position.
 17. Range finder according to claim16, characterized in that, the measuring limit stop body (12) featuresat least one swivel axis (32, 24) perpendicular to an extensiondirection (62) of the measuring limit stop body (12) for swivelingand/or locking the measuring limit stop body (12).
 18. Range finderaccording to claim 17, characterized in that, the measuring limit stopbody (12) extends in one dimension from one side surface (64) of thehousing (10) to another side surface (66).
 19. Range finder according toclaim 18, characterized in that, the measuring limit stop body (12) isembodied as a flat plate.
 20. Range finder according to claim 19,characterized in that, the measuring limit stop body (12) is embodied asa bow.
 21. Range finder according to claim 20, characterized in that, anedge-side recess (56) is provided in the first device flat side (40) ofthe housing (10) through which the legs (68, 70) of the measuring limitstop body (12) can be released for swiveling.
 22. Range finder accordingto claim 21, characterized in that, means are provided to detect aposition and/or a swivel angle of the measuring limit stop body (12).